ABSTRACT
We have attempted to keep mathematics to a minimum in this chapter and to try rather to provide a basic understanding of the optical transfer function (OTF) concept. However, some mathematics is required if one is to make full use of the concept as a means of assessing and specifying image quality. Particularly towards the end of this chapter a number of mathematical relationships are given without proof. Such proofs can be found in several textbooks (e.g. [1, 2]) which can also provide a much more detailed and rigorous description of the mathematical theory on which this concept is based.
